GOOD side effects from chemo

[BellmoreBelle]

I wondered if anyone else had some good side effects from chemo. I had two: a persistent sebaceous cyst which I had gotten cut out of my ear lobe 3 times but kept growing back - after chemo it shrivelled up and disappeared and has not recurred; and a patch of skin on my cheek which was looking like becoming skin cancer - raised, discoloured, etc etc... also shrank away and has now completely disappeared.

[Yoshbosh]

I used to have terrible hay fever, and I haven’t suffered at all since being diagnosed and starting chemo 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Nancy222]

Since I was diagnosed I haven't had the painful sinus headaches I used to get. I think it's because I'm drinking more water.

Also, I think my eyelashes have become thicker.

[BellmoreBelle in reply to Nancy222]

I think my eyelashes are thicker too!

[Lyndy]

Hello

Yes my rheumatoid disease practically packed up and went home during chemo....but then returned afterwards 🤪

[Juleswhee]

When I was on frontline last year the Carbo / Taxol combo saw off the arthritis in my knee , I was given a leaflet when chemo ended and it had a paragraph that said if you had arthritis and symptoms had eased to be aware symptoms would probably return and could be worse , they did . Secondly I suffer with facial hair and have had to “ take care of it “since I was a teenager , this of course disappeared with Taxol , I loved that lol. So sad it’s now growing again , surprising as I always thought it was a by product of polycystic ovaries and of course I haven’t got any anymore .xxx

[Maus123]

Good topic. Yes. For the first time in my life, I have nails.. as in.. actual (albeit short) fingernails which means I can leave my hands laying on the table surface during a meeting and won't have to sit on them.

As opposed to the chewed off mess I lived with for 49 years... in various disguises e. g. fake french nails.

Kinda ironic. The chemo which can be hell on nails (Taxol) scared me so much, I actually cooled my hands/nails during each treatment, let my nails grow out a bit and have been treating them to a silicium based uv protect polish, hardening base coat and top coat once a week.

As a result, I no longer have to bother my husband to remove stickers, but have a bloody scalp because the scratching at skin irritations is much more effective with these my own - sharp - nails than anything I could have done with acrylic nails.. uh oh.

Stay well. Xx. Maus

[lynn6156]

Yep I have psoriasis which disappeared on the chemo. I'm guessing it'll return but it was nice while it lasted

Lynn

x

[gmc920]

Like Maus, my nails also seemed to improve on chemo

[BellmoreBelle]

...and I've ended up with amazing, thick curls.

[keeponkeepingon]

I had the most lovely curly hair for 2 years,now back to normal straight.Nice while it lasted.

[angeladale]

Funny that you mention it , but my chronic back pain has all but disappeared although Ct scans show up degenerative discs etc ..

[govanhill]

Hi. I have had rhinitis for years and it always seems better for the week after chemo. I did think it was the steroids given for sickness that helped but maybe not. My skin also feels smoother. Morag

[Colman]

I absolutely love my skin when I'm on chemo it's lovely and smooth no facial hair it didn't dry up at all. And my nails were so strong.

Claire x

[Cropcrop]

My arthritis in my neck is so much better than it was before I had my chemo, I’m 4 years on and it’s still better, I hadn’t realised this before you asked the question 🤔, how odd! ❤️Xx Jane

[Harrygirl]

My skin was as smooth as a baby’s butt in part due to being hairless, my facial hair disappeared, and a weird spot on my face was much smaller. While these changes have reverted back to normal, my chemo curls have just started. I’m so happy to have hair again, I’ll take it as it comes, especially as the colder weather has arrived!

[Guri41]

I've got really strong nails too, for the first time in my life! I'm on Paclitaxel (Cycle 11)

[bluepeterella]

Curly hair for me too - I've never been so happy with my hair.

[Irisisme]

I’m another one whose arthritis improved on chemo. I’m having a break from it now and the arthritis pain is back ☹️

[Zena41]

Thicker hair on return x

[Marzipan]

Yes! I had a nail that kept splitting in two from an injury at the nailbed. During chemo, my nails practically turned into steel weapons, and now 2 yrs on, my problem nail is still quite strong.

And another thing, during cancer I kept getting little red dots popping up on my torso. Chemo stopped that cold.

So, some wee silver linings. Thanks for your post!

[Mptelesca]

You ladies are the BEST! IT takes a great, tough bunch of women to look at the silver lining of Chemo! Among a few positive side effects, the best thing for me was to find you wonderful ladies this Spring! Love you all. Thank you!